Put on your chef’s hat and break out those spices you never use because its time to get cooking. Whether you’re a pro in the kitchen or just wanting to try your hand at a new dish, here are the best places in the Mother City to cook up a storm and experience some new tastes and cultures while you’re at it.

1. The Giggling Gourmet – Cook’s Playground

Take to the Cook’s Playground and have an adventurous culinary experience not soon forgotten.

This unique establishment was created by one of Cape Town’s most loved chef’s, Jenny Morris, and encourages visitors to have fun while you cook.

With state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, amateur chefs can truly go all out, with helpful staff standing by for any needed advice.

Contact: 021 425 3000

Address: 32 Napier St Unit 17, 2nd Floor 8001 Cape Town, Western Cape

Website: www.gigglinggourmet.com

2. The Bo-Kaap Cooking Tour

Taking visiting foodies on a voyage into the life, culture and cuisine of real Cape Malay people in Bo-Kaap, while offering you a hands-on practical cooking lesson.

From folding Samoosas to mixing Masala for that perfect pot of Cape Malay Curry, you’ll master the techniques of much-loved local dishes.

Enjoyable not only for those with an appreciation for cooking but also history.

Contact: 074 130 8124

Address: 46 Rose Street 8001 Cape Town, Western Cape

Website: www.bokaapcookingtour.co.za

3. Bombay to Cape Town

Founded by Mumbai native, Gautami, who now works to inspire people to cook delicious Indian food every day.

Gautami teaches for all levels and helps each and every visitor to her kitchen to have an enjoyable time while learning the wonderful cooking methods of her home country.

Visiting foodies are encouraged to brace themselves for a wild adventure, filled with unique flavours and spice.

Contact: +27 (0) 726 3333 56

Address: 38 J Ocean View Drive, Green Point, Cape Town

Website: www.bombaytocapetown.com

4. Food Jams

Mix and mingle while you put together an unforgettable feast with future friends.

At Food Jams, cooking is half of the fun and the other half is socialising. Participants are paired up, preferably with strangers, and each team is given a portion of the meal to prepare and invited to follow the recipe, although participants are usually encouraged to improvise.

If this isn’t the best way to level up your cooking skills while making new friends, we don’t know what is.

Contact: 063 292 0419

Website: www.foodjams.co.za

5. Chez Gourmet

Enjoy the guidance of friendly, passionate, fully-qualified Cordon Bleu Chefs with years of teaching, cooking and catering experience at Chez Gourmet.

Following a unique novel concept in culinary teaching that allows people to really cooking while choosing a time, level, pace and price that suits them.

Each month a new calendar of classes is released, featuring lessons of 3 hours where visitors can learn techniques at their own stations while being guided through recipes.